2011 begins with widespread revolt

¡Que se vayan todos!

A dizzying array of events have transpired over the last few weeks, to the point that it’s hard to keep current and up to date. Here’s a collection of recent coverage (that is, in our honest editorial opinion, amongst the best):

Widespread protests have struck Egypt, in what some are calling a “revolution.” These events fall on the heels of a revolution in Tunisia earlier this month which toppled the government there. Protests in Egypt have been met with violence from the authorities and government forces.

Abdel Haleem Kandeel, secretary of the Kefaya Movement, an Egyptian opposition group, says that there will be no negotiations or dialogue until Mubarak leaves.

Google launched a service for people in Egypt to send Twitter messages by dialing a phone number, no Internet connection needed. The following numbers are listed for people to use the service: +16504194196 or +390662207294 or +97316199855.

Details about the proposed rally planned for Tuesday – the so-called ‘march of a million people’: Organisers have told Al Jazeera that the march will start at Tahrir Square – the focal point of the protests in Cairo. The marchers are expected to pass the nearby Egyptian state television building before heading north-east, towards the presidential palace.

Monday developments:

Egyptian government has totally shut down Internet. Cell phones expected to be blocked on Tuesday. Rail service shut down.

Big convergence set on Tuesday for Tahrir Square.

Still no pressure from U.S. government on Mubarak regime.

250,000 pack downtown Cairo for today’s general strike

Token numbers of police directing traffic at major intersections, but otherwise streets still controlled by army + ordinary citizens.

Opposition groups continue to call for a “million man march” and a general strike on Tuesday to commemorate one week since the protest movement began. Meanwhile, the military has reiterated that it will not attempt to hurt protesters.